Rahmanullah Gurbaz celebrates after scoring 100 in Sharjah on Friday night.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s spectacular century propelled Afghanistan to a commanding 72-run victory over the UAE in the opening T20I clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night.

After calling the coin correctly, UAE opted to field first but their decision did not go in their favour after the hosts’ bowling attack failed to keep a check on Afghanistan’s run rate at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan opener Hazratullah Zazai (13 runs from 16 balls) failed to make a mark but Gurbaz (100 runs from 52 balls) shined against the UAE bowling attack to post 203/3 for the Afghans. Ibrahim Zadran (59 runs from 43 balls) also played a crucial role by making a solid partnership with Gurbaz.

Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique and Aayan Khan were the only wicket-takers for the host.

In the run chase, Vriitya Aravind (70* runs from 64 balls) played an unbeaten knock in the second inning but could not make a solid partnership with his team-mates.

Afghanistan’s bowling attack stepped up superbly, with Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the charge with two wickets for 19 runs in his four overs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad also chipped in with a wicket apiece, effectively shutting down the UAE chase.

Gurbaz was named the ‘Player of the Match’ after his onslaught in the first inning.

Speaking after Afghanistan’s win, Gurbaz said he dreamt of scoring a hundred in T20Is, while calling this knock a special one.

“I feel really excited. I dreamt of a hundred in a T20I so I’m excited. My plan was to give strike to Hazratullah and whenever I got a loose ball, my plan was to be in as wicket was not easy. The crowd supports us everywhere, they support both teams and that is the amazing thing. Thanks to them and I hope they come for the next game. I have played good knocks but in T20s I can say this one is a special one,” said Gurbaz.